Who be held responsible if ivermectin recipients have adverse effects?

Who should be held responsible in case people who receive the anti-parasite drug ivermectin distributed for free in Quezon City have an adverse effect?

For Dr. Maricar Limpin, vice president of the Philippine College of Physicians, doctors, legislators and even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should be held accountable in case people get sick because of Ivermectin especially if it is given without a proper prescription.

“Sino ang hahabulin ng tao kung magkakaroon ng problema? I think kung pumapayag ang FDA, then they should also be held accountable kasi pinayagan nila. Definitely, ‘yung dalawang congressman who are involved here kasi sila ang nag initiate together with the doctors who are there, they should be held accountable for whatever problems na maaaring mangyari because of that particular activity,” she said in interview with TeleRadyo.

Limpin also questioned why the prescriptions allegedly used in the distribution of free ivermectin in Quezon City on Thursday did not have a name, license number and doctor’s signature.

“Pag may kulang dito may problema ho sino ang mananagot kung may mangyari doon sa mga tao. Sina congressman [Mike] Defensor ba o congressman [Rodante] Marcoleta ba o ‘yung mga doctor na naroroon? In the end, whatever happens to the patient there should be someone accountable and the one who is more accountable ay ‘yung mga doctor na nagpeprescribe nung gamot na ‘yan,” she said.

Who be held responsible if ivermectin recipients have adverse effects?

Representatives Rodante Marcoleta and Mike Defensor initiated the distribution of ivermectin to over 30 residents of Barangay Old Balara, Quezon City on Thursday.

The residents had to sign a waiver and undergo consultation with doctors from the Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines before getting the drug.

After the doctor explained the medicine, the recipients were given 10 capsules of ivermectin and a prescription.

The prescription, as shown in a viral photo, was written in a bond paper and not on a prescription pad. It said the residents must take one tablet per two weeks.

But according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, signing the waiver does not mean the absence of criminal liability if a person or group can be proven liable.

According to Limpin, such a drug that has not been registered should only be used in hospitals that have been granted a compassionate special permit from the FDA.